By Jaci Arnone

You may be wondering why I am recommending pipe organ concerts as a fun kid’s activity, but I urge you to keep an open mind. Organ music might not be high on my playlist either, but I have wonderful memories of my grandmother “GiGi” playing show tunes during family holidays while my cousins and I danced our hearts out.

So recently when I discovered that Providence Performing Arts Center offers free lunchtime concerts showcasing their vintage Wurlitzer pipe organ, I leapt at the chance to expose the kids to some good ol’ organ music. And I promise you, it was well worth it.

We attended the first concert of this year’s spring series, which featured an accomplished organist and two talented vocalists. The hour-long program included a variety of upbeat show tunes from The Music Man, Gigi, and My Fair Lady, along with classics such as Tea for Two and Stars and Stripes Forever.  My kids had a ball, clapping along, dancing in the aisle, and getting plenty of positive attention from the other attendees (mostly seniors).

We chose to sit in the first row of the balcony, which gave the kids a fantastic view of the theater. The balcony ledge served as the perfect impromptu table top, making it easier for the kids to manage their picnic lunch. Also, the railing is high enough that I wasn’t worried about their safety (although with toddlers, it might be better to avoid the steep steps and stay on the ground level).

Following the performance, we walked downstairs to get a closer glimpse of the Wurlitzer pipe organ. Built in 1927, this gorgeous instrument is the pride and joy of PPAC. The kids enjoyed seeing the ornate details on the Wurlitzer and getting yet another view of PPAC’s breathtaking interior, which my three-year-old daughter best described as “fancy, like Fancy Nancy!”

Whether you are a fan of pipe-organ music or not, the Wonders of the Wurlitzer series is a great opportunity to share live music with your family in one of Rhode Island’s most beautiful venues.

Details:

Spring 2008 Wurlitzer schedule (more details):
Monday May 12 (Len Beyersdorfer, organist)
Monday, May 19 (Jim & Linda Duncan, organist)
Wednesday, May 28 (Alden Mitchell, organist)
Wednesday, June 4 (Bob Legon, organist) - with silent movie

Location: Providence Performing Arts Center - 220 Weybosset St # 2, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 421-2997
Cost: All Wurlitzer concerts are FREE
Time: Noon to 1:00pm. (Bring a brown bag lunch)

Photo Credit: Jaci Arnone

I welcome new music in our house—that used to mean “alternative”, now it usually means time to find a different CD to listen to. Now that the Barenaked Ladies have grown up and become parents they decided to make some music for the whole family. If you or your kids’ music taste includes They Might Be Giants, Black Eyed Peas or the Beatles check out their first collection of original children’s songs, Snacktime.

Sample the CD and download a free mp3 of the “7 8 9″ song at bnlmusic.com.

By Karen Lambe,
Early Childhood Educator

It’s so common, so much a part of our world, that we often take it for granted. From the early days of our baby’s life, when we gently tap in time to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on the bottom of her feet to the Raffi CD that gets played over and over, music permeates our world. How wonderful that it does!

When children grow up hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat, it helps develop their language, physical coordination, and social skills. What can parents do to support musical learning?

Sing! With baby on the changing table, sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” Point to baby’s parts and end with a big clap. Sway and dance with baby in your arms to a waltz or a salsa. Clap in rhythm to “Happy Birthday to You.”

As your child gets older, share classic nursery rhyme songs. Sing “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” and make up some movements to go with it. This is the way we: Jump up and down . . . Sway to and fro . . . Give a big hug . . . All fall down!

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A quick list of my favorite finds on the web this week.

• On the Rag and Bone Blog, Jason introduced me to the artist, Jennifer Maestre who uses common materials like colored pencils in her sculptural work. Inspiring.
• The Style Files featured a home in Amsterdam where the couple living there made photo copies of their children’s drawings and used them as wallpaper. Check out the bold graphic wall statement.
• Lovely hand-cut paper valentine by Amy of angry chicken.
• Buy the brand new They Might Be Giants DVD/CD, Here Come The 123s (with Bonus Tracks and Video) exclusive from Amazon.com.
• Easy heart sun catcher project in the Kids Craft weekly newsletter—maybe we will adapt this craft for spring.
• I adore the shop, weekend in Orleans on Cape Cod—full of lovely things for kid, mom and home. Visit their redesigned website and check out their annual sale. If you like what you see, email Mari and tell her you are a Kidoinfo reader.

My kids and I love music, so we’re always looking for new sounds to groove to. And lucky for them and for us that the choices for kids’ music have evolved into tunes the whole family can enjoy.

Here is a list of the 2007 Top 10 Kids’ CDs by Kathy O’Connell from WXPN in Philadelphia. Listen to samples of the music on NPR.org.

Calling All Kids by Candy Band
A rhythmic mix of original and classic songs performed by punk-rock moms who sound like real moms.

Down at the Sea Hotel by Various Artists
A collection of lullabies based on a Greg Brown song, this book/CD package combines songwriters (Brown, Tom Waits, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith) with folk singers (John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Guy Davis, Eliza Gilkyson)

Mommy Says No! by The Asylum Street Spankers
A varied mix of music from hard-rock screaming to jazz to twang.

Wonderstuff by Recess Monkey
Stories and songs heavily influenced by ’60s rock.

‘CHICKENS - Wiggle, Waggle, Wave’ by Buck Howdy & BB
Cowboy twang music for kids by Grammy-nominated Buck Howdy.
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This classic story about Christmas, toys, magic, adventure, and candy is great for both boys and girls of many ages. Children can experience it in several ways – read the story, hear the music, see a live performance, turn it into a craft project, or as we do at our house – dress the part.

Read a book:
• Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
• Nutcracker Ballet by Vladimir Vagin
• The Nutcracker: Classic Collectible Pop-Up by David A. Carter, illustrated by Noelle Carter.
• The Nutcracker by Michael Hague and Sarah L. Thomson

Hear the music:
• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker CD, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras

Listen to the music while reading along with the book: The Nutcracker hardcover with CD adapted by Janet Schulman and E. T. A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Renee Graef

See the show:
• The Nutcracker by Festival Ballet, December 14-16, 2007
The Providence Performing Arts Center - 220 Weybosset Street, Providence. Ticket prices from $18 to $60. For tickets call 401-421-ARTS or visit www.ppacri.com

Watch the movie:
• George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker - New York City Ballet (1993)
Starring Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel, Macaulay Culkin and directed by Emile Ardolino.
Running Time: 92 minutes
• The Nutcracker (1977)
Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland and directed by Tony Charmoli.
Running Time: 78 min

Make a craft:
• Nutcracker Stickers by Dover Little Activity Books
• Cut & Assemble a Nutcracker Ballet Toy Theater: A Complete Production in Full Color
by Tom Tierney
• Paint your own wooden Nutcracker

Dress the part:
We put together this Nutcracker costume with black poster board rolled and stapled together to form the hat, makeup for kids, a corduroy jacket, red shirt and black pants from home. Black boots from the local thrift shop. Sword, optional.

By Marianne Ruggiero
Coordinator of Family Programs at The RISD Museum

What kinds of music did people make long ago and all around the world?
One way to find the answer to that question is to look at visual art that refers to music.

Here are 4 images of paintings and sculptures located at the RISD Museum of Art (see A, B, C, and D below). Answer the following questions, then look at the bottom of page and see how many you got right.

1. Can you find the relationship to music in each one?

2. Not bad! Okay, let’s see if you can identify the following:

• String instrument
• Brass instrument
• Percussion instrument
• Wind instrument

3. Now let’s put art and music together. How do each of the instruments in these artworks sound? To hear music samples, click on the images or the text link below.

—-
Note: The images of artwork from The RISD Museum collection will remain on the  Kidoinfo website for only 3 months as requested by the Museum.  Although the images have been removed, kids may still enjoy doing some of  the following projects.
—-
A

(Click to hear instrument)

Indian, Siva Nataraja (King of Dancers)
around 1400, bronze
46 1/2 x 37 1/2 in.
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Museum Appropriation Fund
Photography by Erik Gould

B

(Click to hear instrument)

Giovanni Batista Tiepolo, The Angel of Fame
1750, fresco mounted on canvas
130 1/4 x 78 in.
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Museum Appropriation Fund

C

(Click to hear instrument - Malagueña played by the Providence Mandolin Orchestra)

William Morris Hunt, Portrait of Ellen M. Brown
oil on canvas
42 1/2 x 30 3/8 in.
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Bequest of Mrs. Ellen M. Berry
Photography by Erik Gould

D
(Click to hear bagpipe)
(Click to hear bassoon)

Meissen, The Monkey Band
around 1749, porcelain, enamel, and gilding
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
Bequest of Miss Lucy T. Aldrich
Photography by Erik Gould

Answers
1. Identifying instruments in the art

• A shows the Hindu god Shiva holding double-drum or damaru; there are also bells on the bracelets around Shiva’s ankles.
• B shows a trumpet.
• C shows a mandolin.
• D shows a conductor, singers, and musicians playing the flute, piano, bagpipes, bassoon, and trumpet.

2. Identify the types of instruments in the artwork

• String instrument - C
• Brass instrument - B, D
• Percussion instrument - A
• Wind instrument - D

ARTplay is a monthly column by Marianne Ruggiero from The RISD Museum in which various themes and activities will introduce kids and parents to the museum’s collection both online and off. Each month Kidoinfo will help spark your children’s interest in art - they can learn about different works at the museum and download a related activity to create offline. Be sure to visit the museum and explore the art in person. On Free-for-All Saturdays (the last Saturday of every month), kids may continue their exploration through a variety of hands-on workshops, performances, videos, and special gallery quests throughout the day.

All additional inquires or requests should be directed to: Melody Ennis, Coordinator of Photographic Services, The RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903. 401 454-6535. E-mail inquires to: mennis@risd.edu

Bellani Maternity celebrates their one year anniversary by planning events for the whole family on Saturday, November 3. This event is all about growing, celebrating, and giving back to the community. Bring a new baby item or toy that will be donated to the Federal Hill House in Providence, Rhode Island (a social service agency that helps families improve their lives).

Enjoy music from Music Together and Kindermusic, face painting and a giant moon bounce for the children. Chair massages, special take home gifts and create a baby keepsake with Wiggle Toes.

Details
November 3, 2007 from 10 am - 1 pm
Bellani Maternity - 1276 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, RI
(401) 234-1279

Hope Arts High School has brought back their instrumental music program. They have about 150 students who need instruments to play in school. If you have an instrument you are not using anymore, you can help put music into the hands of urban students whose families cannot afford to buy their own. Your used instrument may even be worth more as a tax deduction if you donate it to a charity than if you sell it. And the value of giving the gift of music to kids? Priceless.

So far they have received a bass clarinet, a guitar, and a banjo. They need violins, cellos, violas, and basses, and other band instruments.

For more information contact:
Michael L. Werth
Hope Arts High School - 324 Hope Street, Providence, RI
email: michael.werth@ppsd.org
office: (401) 456-9161

FirstWorks is one of the many things I love about Providence. This amazing organization brings an array of arts to our city twice a year for kids of all ages to experience. Dedicated to firsts, FirstWorks’ mission is to connect arts to audiences - from kids appreciating the arts for the first time to artists premiering new works in our city. The festivals are full of innovation and unforgettable performing arts.

Months ago, I mentioned what a fan Kidoinfo is of the FirstWorksKids festival in June (a free day jam-packed with music, dance, crafts, theater, and more for kids). Well now it is time for the annual FirstWorksProv Festival. Although this festival is geared towards a slightly older audience (tweens and up), it offers something for everyone. At Kidoinfo we love the creative, learning time we spend with our kids, but we are also adults who need to feed our own creative souls.

Read on for your Kidoinfo guide to the 2007 FirstWorks Festival:

FirstWorksProv Festival: September 29 - November
Location: Downtown Providence performance spaces including PPAC, VMA, RISD Auditorium, Pell Chafee Performance Center and Beneficent Church.
Tickets are required for many of the events. Prices range from $18 – 50 with student rush the hour beforehand. Passes for the entire festival as well as group sales are available.
Visit FirstWorksProv or call 401-621-6123 (ArtTix).

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